Consumer Health: Over-the-counter treatment for dry eyes

November 30, 2018

Artificial tears: How to select eyedrops for dry eyes
Are you seeking relief for dry eyes? Artificial tears may do the trick. Artificial tears are nonprescription eyedrops used to lubricate dry eyes and help maintain moisture on the outer surface. Such eyedrops may be used to treat dry eyes that result from aging; certain medications; a medical condition; eye surgery; or environmental factors, such as smoky or windy conditions. Learn more from Dr. Dennis Robertson, an emeritus Mayo Clinic ophthalmologist.

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Also in today's tips ...

Recognizing early HIV symptoms
Early HIV symptoms usually occur within a couple of weeks to a month or two after infection. These early HIV symptoms, called "acute retroviral syndrome" or "primary HIV infection," usually disappear within a week to a month and often are mistaken for another viral infection or a bad case of the flu. During this period, anyone with the virus is very infectious. Persistent or more severe symptoms of HIV infection may not appear for several years after the initial infection. Learn more from Dr. James Steckelberg, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist.

Glycemic index diet
A glycemic index diet is an eating plan based on how foods affect your blood sugar level. The glycemic index is a system of assigning a number to carbohydrate-containing foods according to how much each food increases blood sugar. The purpose of a glycemic index diet is to eat carbohydrate-containing foods that are less likely to cause large increases in blood sugar levels. The diet could be a means to lose weight and prevent chronic diseases related to obesity, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Find out more about this eating plan and whether it might be right for you.

What it takes to be agile at any age
Staying active and preserving flexibility and mobility are important as you age. Flexibility refers to the ability to move a joint through the full range of motion or fully lengthen a muscle. Mobility includes flexibility, as well as strength, coordination and balance. Use these three tips to stay agile well past middle age.

Treating nail fungus
Fungal nail infections are caused by various fungal organisms and can be difficult to treat. The condition can develop in people at any age, but it's more common in older adults. Treatment depends on the severity of your condition and the type of fungus causing it. Your health care provider may prescribe antifungal drugs that you take orally or apply to the nail. In some situations, it helps to combine oral and topical antifungal therapies. It can take months to see results, and even if your nail condition improves, repeat infections are common. Learn more about treating fungal nail infections.